Yellow Jackets Overcome Deficit with 77-71 Win Over St Mary's

NOTRE DAME, Ind. - The Defiance College Yellow Jackets overcame a 13-point deficit to defeat Saint Mary's College Saturday afternoon 77-71.

Hannah Harshman led the way for Defiance (2-2) with a double-double, leading the team with 24 points, while also bringing down 10 rebounds.

Kelsey Tietje also finished with a double-double for the Yellow Jackets, her fourth straight to begin her career with the purple and gold. Tietje scored 15 points and also brought down 15 rebounds against Saint Mary's (2-4).

The Yellow Jackets trailed by 13 points late in the first half, but closed strong to end the first half and head into the break trailing 34-32.

Coming out in the second half, Harshman put up 14 of her 24 and Tietje scored 13 of her 15 to open up as much as a nine-point lead in the win.

Erica King also had eight points in the second half to go with her nine from the first 20 minutes to finish with a season-high 17 on the night.

Saturday's game marked the first time this season that three Yellow Jackets scored at least 15 points in the same game.

Each team made 30 baskets and 10 free throws in the game, however, Defiance's winning margin came with seven 3-pointers from Ashley Birchmeier (3), King (3), and Maggie Neanan (1), while Saint Mary's only connected on one shot from behind the arch.

Birchmeier and Neanan's 3-pointers were their only baskets in the game, finishing with nine and three points, respectively.

Erica Smay had three points and Kim Bingley came off the bench with six points to round out the scoring for the Yellow Jackets.

Harshman finished 10-of-13 from the floor and made all four of her attempts from the free-throw line. She finished with five offensive and five defensive rebounds.

Tietje was 7-of-11 from the field and added a free throw. The freshman's 15 points were a season low, but her 15 rebounds, including 12 defensive rebounds, were a season high. She is averaging 21.8 points and 11.5 rebounds through her first four career games at DC. She also picked up two blocks in the contest.

The Yellow Jackets will return to action Wednesday in the conference opener against Manchester University. The contest is scheduled for a 7:30 p.m. tip inside the Karl H. Weaner Center.